Millennium Falcon re-creation and old nuclear bunker among designs shortlisted for Shed of the Year

A re-creation of the Millennium Falcon, a restored nuclear bunker and a converted camper van are among the wacky designs shortlisted for the 2016 Shed of the Year.

While most people are happy if they can escape for the odd hour or two among pot plants and rusty old saws, more committed enthusiasts have lovingly put time and patience into creating some of the most eye-catching sheds in the UK.

Rotating Shed, a shed owned by Bryan Lewis Jones in Benbighshire, which has been shortlisted in the Unique category in the Shed of the Year competition.Credit:
Cuprinol

Their finest efforts have been whittled down from 2,825 to a shortlist of 32, which will battle it out to be named the Cuprinol Shed of the Year.

Ilona's Summerhouse, a shed owned by Ilona in North Lincolnshire, which has been shortlisted in the Budget category in the Shed of the Year competition. Credit:
Cuprinol

West Wing, a shed owned by Kevin Herbert in Berkshire, which has been shortlisted in the Eco category in the Shed of the Year competition. Credit:
Cuprinol

Among them is a restored three-man nuclear bunker, owned by Jim Sherrit in Brechin, Scotland, which is 20ft (6m) below ground and only accessible by a hatch and ladder.

Old Garden Shed, a shed owned by Brian in Hastings, which has been shortlisted in the Budget category in the Shed of the Year competition. Credit:
Cuprinol

Ilona's Summerhouse is one of the budget finalists, a sunlit hideaway created from recycled pallets, doors and reclaimed paving slabs, while the Maggie Ewing is a renovated ex-boat wheelhouse, owned by David Carter in the Scottish Highlands, made from one of the last boats ever commercially built in Caithness.

Other entrants include a shed built on the back of an Austin J4 pick-up truck, a Wild West "saloon" where owner Alistair Baranowski and his friends drink Scotch on the rocks, and a shed that houses a real African dwarf crocodile.

Competition founder Andrew Wilcox said: "These 32 sheds include some of the best I have ever seen in the history of the competition, so deciding who will take out top honour as the Shed of the Year 2016 will be tough, I love them all."